A Casper man has been charged in federal court with three counts of drug and gun-related crimes, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court last week.

Daniel Dorf was charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm during a federal drug trafficking crime and being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to the criminal complaint by an agent with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

If convicted on all counts, Dorf faces a punishment of between five years and life imprisonment.

The case started Dec. 12 when an agent with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation was conducting surveillance at an apartment complex in the 100 block of North Grant Street.

The DCI agent saw a vehicle with two occupants who were driving back and forth in the area, known for drug trafficking, who did not appear to be residents of the building.

A Casper police officer was sent to contact the occupants, and he saw Dorf in the driver's seat reaching under the seat. The officer saw a marijuana bong in the back seat.

The officer asked for identification, and the female passenger provided a Wyoming ID. Dorf, however, said he didn't have any ID and gave the officer a false name.

He also repeatedly asked Dorf to keep his hands visible because Dorf was continually reaching under the seat.

The officer opened the driver's side door, grabbed Dorf's arm and pulled him from the vehicle. Another officer who had arrived helped the first officer handcuff Dorf who was resisting.

During a search of the vehicle, the first officer found a stolen pistol loaded with seven rounds of ammunition, about 35 grams of methamphetamine, suspected marijuana, and suspected methamphetamine pips and hypodermic needles.

Dorf, who had been placed in a patrol vehicle, said he had contraband in one of his pockets. The officers asked him to get out, Dorf began to run, and the officers caught him and put him back in the vehicle.

After being advised of his rights, Dorf said he had traded one gram of methamphetamine for the pistol. Dorf said he had the gun for protection because he didn't always know the meth customer.

He also said he had distributed the drug to about 17 individuals in the past six weeks, and had distributed about six ounces of methamphetamine a week for the previous six weeks to another person.

Dorf was arrested and booked into the Natrona County jail.

The ATF agent reviewed Dorf's criminal history and learned he had been convicted of possession of methamphetamine on three or more separate occasions in May 2017.